County Executive Marc Elrich and Councilmember Evan Glass Commemorate Pride Month with Progress Pride Flag Raising Ceremony

For Immediate Release: Monday, June 7, 2021

Today County Executive Marc Elrich, Councilmember Evan Glass, and other Councilmembers joined together to officially commemorate Pride Month in Montgomery County by raising the Progress Pride Flag in Rockville outside of the Executive Office Building. Since 2019, Councilmember Glass has spearheaded this annual commemoration and organized numerous community events to promote acceptance and inclusion across the community.

“Our LGBTQ+ residents of Montgomery County are woven within the fabric of who we are as a County,” said County Executive Elrich. “I am proud of our County’s progress on ensuring equity for our LGBTQ+ community; but we still have more work to do to reduce hate, bigotry, and discrimination. I wish our LGBTQ+ community a joyous Pride Month celebration and look forward attending events throughout this month that will honor their contributions as we recommit ourselves to create a more equitable future for generations to come.”

“For this year’s flag raising we will be flying the Progress flag, which includes colors and stripes to highlight trans individuals and communities of color –– for whom much progress remains to be made,” said Councilmember Evan Glass. “There are a wide range of identities within the LGBTQ+ community, and as we have witnessed racial violence across the country, it’s more important than ever to create positive change for all of us, not some of us. The LGBTQ+ rights movement has made tremendous strides over the past few decades, but there remains much more work to do. I believe that by bringing us all together, we can continue marching toward progress and healing.”

"While we're celebrating Pride Month, it's not enough to make sure all our residents feel welcome, valued and safe," said Council President Tom Hucker. "After a year that has exacerbated existing health and employment disparities, we have an opportunity now to stand together with our neighbors and LGBTQ community members and double down on our commitment to equity and social justice. Together, we can better protect our LGBTQ+ residents, but it will take all of us embracing our community and using our voices to make a difference."

The Progress Pride Flag is an inclusive symbol that celebrates marginalized LGBTQ+ communities. It includes black and brown stripes to represent LGBTQ+ communities of color along with pink, light blue and white, which are used on the Transgender Pride Flag.

Montgomery County celebrates diversity and inclusion. The goal of today’s flag raising is to recognize the positive impact that LGBTQ+ residents have made on the world and our community.

Councilmember Glass will host a series of events celebrating LGBTQ+ Pride Month with members of the Council and leaders of the LGBTQ+ community, as he has done for the last several years. Councilmember Glass is the first LGBTQ+ member of the Montgomery County Council.

View video of today’s flag raising here.

For a list of upcoming Pride Month events visit: bit.ly/mocopride-2021.

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Release ID: 21-428
Media Contact: Barry Hudson 240-300-7348
Categories: Executive Office